Executive VP Jim Buss and Jackson never really saw eye-to-eye. With Jim being handed the reins from arguably the most successful owner in professional sports, Dr. Jerry Buss, and making his own decisions, Jim has been highly criticized.

Despite all the rumors of Jim and Phil not exactly being the closest of friends and Jim wanting to get away from anything resembling the Jackson era in Los Angeles, Buss says he considers Phil as part of the family via Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com:

“I consider Phil family. That’s how I look at him,” he said. “If he wants to work with me on a consultant basis, I’m all for it.”

Obviously, at this point in time, Phil isn’t going anywhere. Jackson proposed to Jeanie Buss earlier this year and now is set to marry daughter of the late great Dr. Jerry Buss in the near future. Jim may be going through the motions in terms of claiming Phil is considered part of the family, but it’ll be interesting to see if Jackson takes a substantial role with the team as a consultant moving forward.